TWO Limerick brothers went on trial today (Monday January 29) over their alleged involvement in running a horse-drawn cart off a roadway and assaulting the driver and his nephew.
The two accused brothers, Vincent and Jonathan Collopy, pleaded not guilty before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to a total of six charges between them.
Outlining the State’s case against the two siblings, prosecution counsel John O’Sullivan BL said the alleged victim, Darren Wallace, of Kishyquirk, County Limerick, was “driving a horse-drawn sulky or cart” near Sandy Lane in Boher, County Limerick, when Vincent Collopy allegedly drove an SUV “close behind” the cart.
Mr O’Sullivan said it is alleged Vincent Collopy pushed the SUV into the sulky and forced it “off the road and into a dike”.
“It is alleged Vincent Collopy then assaulted Daren Wallace, thereby causing him harm.”
Mr O’Sullivan said it is also alleged that Vincent Collopy assaulted Jamie Wallace, a nephew of Darren Wallace, who was also present at the scene.
Mr O’Sullivan said it is further alleged that Jonathan Collopy assaulted Darren Wallace causing him harm, and that he produced a stick regarded as “an offensive weapon”, namely a stick, during the course of the alleged assault.
Vincent Collopy (44), with an address at St Ita’s Street, St Mary’s Park, Limerick, denies four charges, including one count of endangerment, one count of dangerous driving, one count of assault causing harm, and one count of assault.
Jonathan Collopy (37), with an address at St Senan’s Street, St Mary’s Park, Limerick, denies two charges, including one count of assault causing harm, contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, and one count of production of an article, namely a stick, capable of inflicting serious injury contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990.
Mr O’Sullivan told the jury of seven men and five women that they would hear evidence from Darren Wallace, Jamie Wallace, other family members, and investigating Gardaí.
The trial before Judge Tom O’Donnell is due to run for at least a week.
